The differences in the expression of fractalkine and its receptor in conditions of tonsillar hypertrophy and chronic tonsillitis.

OBJECTIVE

Fractalkine, member of chemokine family, is involved in many inflammatory processes in the human body. The aim of this study is to compare expression levels of fractalkine ligand and its receptor in chronic tonsillitis and hypertrophic tonsil samples.

METHODS

The study was conducted at Baskent University Departments of Otorhinolaryngology and Medical Genetics. It is designed as a prospective, non-randomized, controlled clinical study. Total 97 samples, obtained from adenotonsillectomy due to chronic tonsillitis or tonsillar hypertrophy, were participated in the study. Fractalkine and its receptor expression levels were determined and comparison was made between the tissue groups. c.839C>T (T280M) polymorphism of fractalkine receptor was analyzed, then relationship between polymorphism and the expression level of fractalkine receptor was investigated.

RESULTS

Fractalkine receptor expression was significantly higher in the hypertrophic tonsil group than chronic tonsillitis group (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Fractalkine, member of chemokine family, and its receptor may play role in preventing chronic-recurrent tonsillitis.